U.S. adviser tells Saleh to sign GCC deal

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, July 11 (UPI) -- The Yemeni president is called on to fulfill his pledge to sign an agreement for political transition, said Washington's top counter-terrorism adviser.

John Brennan, the top counter-terrorism adviser to U.S. President Barack Obama, visited with Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh in Saudi Arabia where Saleh is recovering from wounds suffered during a June 3 attack on his presidential compound.

Saleh has endured months of pressure to step down. He has suggested he would sign on to a deal brokered by the Gulf Cooperation Council in exchange for immunity. He's issued a series of caveats, however, and hasn't followed through.

Brennan during his visit said Saleh should "fulfill expeditiously" his pledge to sign the GCC agreement, the White House said in a statement. "Much needed assistance" to Yemen would flow as soon as the GCC is signed, the statement added.

The official Saba news agency in Yemen reports that Saleh took note of Washington's support for the GCC proposal. Saleh, the report added, thanked Obama for extending his get-well wishes.

Saleh made his first televised appearance since the June 3 attack last week, offering to share power in a bid to remain in office.

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